Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0E4 K1A 0E4

August 30, 2017

Scott Tessier Chair and Chief Executive Officer -Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board Suite 101, TD Place 140 Water Street St. John's, NL A1C 6H6

Re: Summary of Indigenous Consultation - Environmental Assessment for the Western Newfoundland Controlled Source Electromagnetic Survey, submitted to the Canada- Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.

Dear Mr. Tessier:

I am writing to provide a summary of the consultations and comments received on Electromagnetic Geoservices Canada Inc.’s (EMGS) environmental assessment (EA) for a proposed controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) survey in the Western Area of the Canada- Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area.

On July 19, 2017, Natural Resources Canada sent letters to forty-seven Indigenous groups (see attached distribution list) in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador inviting comments on the proposed CSEM Survey EA. The deadline for comments was August 19, 2017. Below, is a summary of the comments received.

The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island expressed no specific concerns with the CSEM survey project, however noted the significance of the area in relation to Aboriginal and treaty rights, including Food Social and Ceremonial fisheries. Please be advised that the Mi’kmaq of Prince Edward Island expressed interest in participation in the EA for the Old Harry project, should it be pursued.

The Conseil des de requested additional information on the effects of the project. The Innus of Pessamit were invited to direct their questions to EMGS for response. A follow-up email was sent following the close of the comment period but no further requests or comments were received.

The Conseil des Innus de Ekuanitshit advised that it collaborates with the Malécite of Viger and the Mi’gmaq of Gespe'gewa'gi on oil and gas development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (in the -Maliseet-Mi'gmaq Alliance for the Protection of the Gulf). They requested additional time and capacity funding to comment. In response, my office offered to arrange a meeting/teleconference call to discuss any issues with the proponent, and nine additional days were provided for the submission of comments. Although there was interest in a meeting, the

Innu of Ekuanitshit advised that it could not meet until mid October (after the projected commencement of the survey in the first week of October). Additional comments were submitted August 29, 2017, which outlined the importance of salmon in the Gulf of St. Laurence to the Innu, Malécite and Mi’gmaq. Other concerns raised in relation to the EA report included: lack of information on potential effects on Aboriginal rights, mischaracterization of the Aboriginal commercial fishery, lack of information on effects of noise and mitigation measures for marine mammals, and the assessment of cumulative effects of noise. Procedural concerns raised in the August 29 letter included: inadequate consultation stemming primarily from the timing and time available for consultation, as well as the lack of capacity funding provided. Based on the view that there has been inadequate consultation, the Innu of Ekuanitshit have requested that project approval be withheld.

The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat (MMS), representing the Gesgape’gewa’gi Mi’gmaq governing councils of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj, stated they have concerns regarding the project, but no project specific issues were noted. The MMS stated it was not in receipt of the notification letters sent July 19, 2017, and requested that the consultation request be resent to the MMS Consultation and Accommodation Unit and the comment period be restarted. In response, my office offered to arrange a meeting/teleconference with the proponent to discuss concerns with the project.

I trust these comments will help inform next steps in the environmental assessment process. I would be pleased to discuss this further with you and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, should this be of interest to you.

Sincerely,

Tim Gardiner Senior Director Offshore Petroleum Management Division, Energy Sector

c.c.: Wes Foote, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Atle Lund, Operations Manager, Electromagnetic Geoservices Canada Inc. Scott Tessier, Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board Joanne Weiss Reid, Offshore Petroleum Management Division, Natural Resources Canada

CSEM Electromagnetic Survey Environmental Assessment Notification -Indigenous Groups

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Chief Mi’sel Joe Grand Chief Anastasia Qupee Miawpukeke (Conne River) First Nation Innu Nation 50 Miawpukek Drive P.O. Box 10 P.O. Box 119 Conne River, Newfoundland , Newfoundland A0H 1J0 A0P 1M0

President Sarah Leo President Todd Russell Nunatsiavut Nunatukavut Community Council 25 Ikajuktauvik road 370 Hamilton River Road P.O. Box 460 P.O. Box 70 Station C Nain, Newfoundland Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland A0P 1L0 A0P 1C0

President Brendan Sheppard Qalipu Mi’Kmaq First Nation 3 Church Street Corner Brook, Newfoundland A2H 2Z4

Québec:

Chef Jean-Charles Piétacho Chef Rodrique Wapistan Conseil des Innus d’Ekuanitshit Conseil des Montagnais de Natashquan 35, rue Manitou c.p. 420 78, rue Mashkush Mingan, Québec Natashquan, Québec G0G 1V0 G0G 2EO

Alain Lalo Grand Chef Jacques Tremblay Conseil de bande des Montagnais d’Unamen Première Nation Malecite de Viger Shipu 112, rue de la Grève 90, rue de Large Cacouan, Québec La Romaine, Québec G0L 1G0 G0G 1M0

Chef René Simon Chief Martin Dufour Conseil des Innus de Pessamit Conseil de la Première Nation des Innus 4, rue Metshteu, c.p .40 Pessamit, Québec 32, rue de la Réserve, c.p. 820 G0H 1B0 Essipit, Québec G0T 1K0 Chief Larocque Roderick Jr

Chef Mike McKenzie Micmacs of Gesgapegiag Consiel Innu Takuaikan mak Mani-Uteman 100 Perron boulevard P.O. Box 1280 265, boul. des Montagnais c.p. 8000 Gesgapegiag, Québec Uasha, Québec G0C 1Y0 G4R 4L9

Chef Denis Mestenapéo Chief Jeannotte Manon Conseil des Innus de Pakua Shipi Nation Micmac de Gespeg c.p. 178 783 boul. De Pointe-Navarre c.p. 69 Pakua Shipi, Québec Fontenelle, Québec G0G 2R0 G4X 6V2

Chief Gray Darcy Listuguj First Nation 17, Riverside Street WestCase c.p. 298 Listuguj, Québec G0C 2R0

New Brunswick :

Chief Gabriel Joseph Atwin Chief Patricia Bernard Kingsclear First Nation Madawaska Maliseet First Nation 77 French Village road 1771 Main Street Kingsclear First Nation, New Brunswick Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, New Brunswick E3E 1K3 E7C 1W9

Chief Shelly Sabattis Chief Candice Paul Oromocto First Nation St. Mary’s First Nation 4 Hiawatha Ave. 150 Cliffe Street Box 417 Fredericton, New Brunswick Oromocto, New Brunswick EA3 0A1 E2CV 2J2

Chief Ross Perley Chief Tim Paul Tobique First Nation Woodstock First Nation 13156 route 105 3 Wulastook Court Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick Woodstock, New Brunswick E7H 5M7 E7M 4K6

Chief George H. Ginnish Chief Thomas Everett Martin Eel Ground First Nation Eel River Bar First Nation 47 Church road 11 Main street, unit 201 Eel Ground, New Brunswick Eel River Bar, New Brunswick E1V 4E6 E8C 1A1

Chief Arran James Sock Chief Alvery Murray Paul Elsipogtog First Nation Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation

373 Big Cove road 620 Bayview drive Elsipogtog, New Brunswick Burnt Church, New Brunswick E4W 2S3 E9G 2A8

Chief Kenneth Barlow Chief Joseph Ward Indian Island First Nation Metepenagiag (Red Bank) First Nation 61 Island drive Box 293 Indian Island, New Brunswick Red Bank, New Brunswick E4W 1S9 E9E2P2

Chief David Paul Chief Anne Mary Simon Pabineau First Nation Buctouche First Nation 1290 Pabineau Falls road 9 Reserve road Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick Buctouche, New Brunswick E2A 7M3 E4S 4G2

Chief Rebecca Knockwood Fort Folly First Nation 38 Bernard Trail Box 1007 Dorchester, New Brunswick E4K 3V5

Prince Edward Island:

Chief Matilda Ramjattan Chief Brian Francis Lennox Island First Nation Abegweit First Nation P.O. Box 134 P.O.Box 36 Lennox Island, Prince Edward Island Scotchfort, Prince Edward Island C0A 1P0 C0A 1T0

Nova Scotia:

Chief Deborah Robinson Chief Gerald Bernard Toney Acadia Fist Nation Annapolis Valley First Nation 105260Highway #3 29 Toney boul. Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Cambridge Station, Nova Scotia B5A 5J7 B0P 1G0

Chief Carol Thompson Chief Leroy D.C. Denny Bear River First Nation Eskasoni First Nation P.O. Box 210 P.O. Box 7040 Bear River, Nova Scotia 63 Mini Mall Drive B0X 1B0 Eskasoni, Nova Scotia B1W 1A1

Chief Sidney Peters Chief Terrance J. Paul Glooscap First Nation Membertou First Nation 159 Smith road 111 Membertou street Hantsport, Nova Scotia Membertou, Nova Scotia B0P 2M9 B1S 2M9

Chief Robert Gloade Chief Paul J. Prosper Millbrook First Nation Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation P.O. Box 634 7 Dillon street Truro, Nova Scotia Aton Station, Nova Scotia B2N 5E5 B0A 1A0

Chief Andrea Paul Chief Wilbert Marshall Pictou Landing First Nation Potloket First Nation RR#2 P.O. Box 55 site 6 P.O. Box 538 43 Maple Street Chapel Island, Nova Scotia Trenton, Nova Scotia B0E 3B0 B0K 1X0

Chief Norman Bernard Chief Roderick Googoo Wagmatcook First Nation Waycobah First Nation P.O. Box 30001 P.O. Box 149 75 Humes Rear road 150 Reservation road Wagmatcook, Nova Scotia Waycobah, Nova Scotia B0E 3N0 B0E 3M0

Chief Micheal P. Sack Chief Robert Gloade Sipekne ‘Katik Millbrook First Nation 522 Church street P.O. Box 634 Indian Brooks, Nova Scotia Truro, Nova Scotia B0N 1W0 B2N 5E5

Ms. Twila Gaudet Kwilmu’kw maw-kllusuaqn Negotiations Office (KMKNO) 75 Treaty Trail Millbrook, Nova Scotioa B6L 1W3